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PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY - PART 1

NY Podiatrist Receives Award Named After Him

On December 7, 2017 at the NYSPMA downstate meeting, Ronald L. Soave, DPM was presented with the first-ever "Ronald L. Soave, DPM, FACFAS Integrity and Excellence in Podiatry Award." This honor will be presented annually. The inscription on the award reads as follows: "In recognition for your time and dedication to the podiatric profession and for the Admiration and Gratitude for all you have taught." The award was presented by Kings Division president Dr. Corrine Renne Landau.

Drs. Ronald Soave and Corrine Renne Landau

Dr. Soave completed a surgical residency program at Lindell Hospital in 1984 under Drs. Allen Jacobs and Lawrence Oloff and returned to New York to work with Dr. Vincent Pacella. Dr. Soave started the New York Methodist Hospital Podiatry Residency Program in 1985 which has graduated over 100 residents.

PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY - PART 2

OH Podiatrist Excited About Upcoming RAM Clinic

A Remote Area Medical (RAM) clinic will be arriving April 20-22 at the Ashtabula Towne Square, offering free medical, dental, and vision services to area residents. Ashtabula podiatrist Lori Herpen, DPM said such a clinic is “absolutely necessary” in Ashtabula County. “People may have insurance but many are under-insured, especially when it comes to vision and dental services,” she said. “Co-pays are steep and some people can’t afford it.”

Dr. Lori Herpen

Dr. Herpen said the clinic is coming to Ashtabula County thanks to former residents Ken and Heather Johnson. They relocated to the Las Vegas area, where they participated in a RAM. In the past, Herpen and her husband, Ashtabula podiatrist Dr. John DeCato, have gone on medical mission trips outside of the United States.

Source: Star Beacon [12/13/17]

PODIATRISTS IN THE COMMUNITY - PART 3

VFW Post Honors NY Podiatrist

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 2913 presented Dr. Steven Brook with a certificate for his generosity to the Post. Dr. Brook was introduced to the Post when he heard that they were looking to get a new industrial range for their kitchen. While most people talk about supporting veterans, Dr. Brook stepped right up and showed his support in a major way.

The plaque was presented to Dr. Brook after a short presentation on his practice and his happiness to support veterans for all that they have done for the country. Along with Dr. Brook was his Marketing Director Jackie DeRosa, who handed out goodie bags to all the members of the Post and the Auxiliary.

PODIATRIC ECONOMICS

CareerCast Names Podiatry in Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs

If you're looking for a high paying career, prepare yourself for many years of post-college education, says a new CareerCastreport on jobs with the highest wages. Of the 10 highest paying jobs of 2017 per the CareerCast.com Jobs Rated report, seven are in the medical field – including five of the six highest paying jobs overall.

CareerCast Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs

"High-level healthcare professions offer some of the most substantial wages of any industry," says Kyle Kensing, Online Content Editor, CareerCast. "However, be prepared to make a substantial investment in your future if you plan to pursue one of these careers."

Source: Ticket Tech [12/12/17]

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT TIP OF THE DAY

Medical Practice Financial Reports Docs Need to See - Part 4

Hard data is crucial to Kyle Matthews, chief executive officer of a cardiology practice near Phoenix, and he regularly shares them with his physicians through 10 key financial reports. The numbers tell him — and them — when to hire and when to fire, who has too many appointments, and who has too few, and even when it's time to investigate missing referrals. Matthews recommended providing these financial reports to partner physicians:

4) Previous Year to Date (YTD) Variance

Matthews uses this report to pinpoint revenues and expenses that vary greater than 15 percent on a quarterly basis. Practices can also use this report to note variances from actual revenue/expenses to budgeted amounts.

Source: Randy Dotinga, Physicians Practice [10/10/17]

QUERIES (NON-CLINICAL)

Query: Board Re-Certification Study Strategies

I am in the group of individuals who takes the self-assessment exam every 10 years for ABFAS re-certification. I understand that it is an educational process, but I still hope to do well on the exam. When I took the re-certification exam 10 years ago, I was surprised that there was a whole section with highly technical questions about bone lengthening (distraction osteogenesis). I never expected that this was a common enough procedure in our profession to have prepared to answer how many mm/week the distraction device should be advanced.

I believe I practice at a high level and keep up with the current literature. I am hoping that colleagues in my age group and experience can direct me to those topics that might be part of the current practice of podiatry, but were not taught or even known 30 years ago. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Greg Caringi, DPM, Lansdale, PA

CODINGLINE CORNER

Query: Mass Excised Within the Tarsal Tunnel

What codes would you recommend for an excision of a large benign Schwannoma within the tarsal tunnel? The tarsal tunnel was decompressed with excision of the soft tissue mass which measured approximately 3 cm by 3 cm x 2 cm.

Jeffrey Klein, DPM, Waterford, MI

Response: I suggest CPT 64788 (excision of neurofibroma or neurolemmoma; cutaneous nerve). If the tarsal tunnel decompression was performed as part of the dissection to get to the schwannoma (which it sounds like it was), I do not think it should be separately coded.

Our lab sustained significant damage from a major fire in our building the night of Dec 12th and we currently cannot operate. We are doing everything we can to return to full operation as quickly as possible but at this point we simply don’t know when that will be. We regret any inconvenience this may cause our clients, and we assure you that, as always, we are committed to accommodating your needs to the best of our ability. Our competitor friends are willing to help under our supervision so that we can still operate on a limited basis in the short-term.

Having personally consulted and currently engaged with the VC/Private Equity (PE) world and founder of Extremity Healthcare, I would like to add some very important and direct points to Hal’s comments on podiatry and VC. Podiatry has always been a bit behind other specialties when you look at other healthcare consolidations.

The main reasons that PE firms have not been able to really see value in podiatry as a platform investment is because the successful PE firms saw podiatry groups as too loosely affiliated, were concerned about integration issues, compliance issues, and the ability to...

What is most disconcerting is that the ABPM is excluding the majority of our profession from being able to sit for their exam in wound care and limb salvage. I read their requirements that all applicants would have to have gone through a residency in wound care or have worked for a wound care center and document cases. This excludes ABPM-certified members such as myself who have practiced wound care for over thirty years in solo practices.

Dr. Benard and those who created the exam are among my most respected colleagues and friends. But in not allowing most podiatrists to participate in this new level of certification, they are being very unfair to my colleagues as well as to me. I trust that they will reconsider this process and come up with a program that is far more fair and equitable.

Dr. Jonathan Haber was my residency director. Not only was he an exceptional surgeon and practitioner, but he was a true mentor at St. Barnabas,who really looked out for all his residents and their needs (podiatric and life). When we, his residents, learned of the devastating news of his passing, a chat group was formed and we shared, reminisced, cried and laughed about the many "Haberisms" that have touched and changed our lives and podiatric practices forever. He stayed in touch with many of us and has been guiding us through our years, even though we are spread all over.

Dr. Jonathan Haber was a truly special man, mentor, and physician who will be missed by all. I speak on behalf of all his residents when I say what an honor it was to have learned from him. Sending hugs and strength to his amazing wife Arlene and daughter Melanie.

Well over 20 years ago, I was appointed to the committee of podiatry examiners for the state of Wyoming. I was really surprised at the lack of knowledge about basic anatomy and biomechanics some of the examiners demonstrated. Some of these podiatrists had completed several years of residency training. If a lower pass rate on the board exam will mean that only better prepared individuals will obtain hospital privileges, I believe that this will ensure that the podiatric profession will be more widely accepted as the foremost authority on the treatment of the foot and ankle.

W. David Herbert DPM, JD, Billings, MT

YOU CAN'T MAKE THESE THINGS UP

RE: How You Know it’s Time for a Vacation

From: Doug Milch, DPM

In December of 1980, as a 3rd year podiatry student at CCPM, I was studying very hard for our final exams. The last exam was in biomechanics III (there were six biomechanics classes labelled in Roman numerals like the Rocky movies) taught by Root, Weed, Sgarlato, etc. After that last final exam, we treated ourselves and celebrated by going out to dinner and then to the movies. We saw the movie, Ten with Bo Dereck.

There's a scene where she is running in slow motion on the beach, wearing a flimsy bikini, well-endowed and bouncing. I caught myself watching her heel strike and the internal rotation of her tibia. I guarantee that I was the only one in the theater looking at that! That's when I realized that I really needed a vacation.

I am upgrading to 20/20 high frequency x-ray with wireless DR panel. X-ray for sale has TWO! DR panels. Eliminates the need to bend and move panel when switching from AP to Lateral view! System comes with Server, software, X ray, 2 panels, installation, training, 1 year support from 20/20 $19,500. New would cost more than 35K. You must move from Manhattan. Ken Meisler DPM, kenmeisler@gmail.com

PM NEWS CLASSIFIED ADS REACH OVER 18,500 DPMs AND STUDENTS

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A multi-office practice is seeking a well-rounded podiatrist with a strong work ethic who is able to work independently and is poised for success. Competitive salary, bonus structure and benefits. Excellent growth potential leading to partnership for the right individual. Position available Spring/Summer 2018. Send CV, picture and letter of interest to: ntexaspod@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION– CENTRAL NEW JERSEY

Large central NJ orthopedic practice looking for full-time podiatrist with interest in wound care, diabetes, and general footcare. Rearfoot/Ankle training not required. Upcoming 2018 grads and established podiatrists can apply. Must be willing to grow podiatry practice with the ability to maintain and attract patients. Must be willing to live in area as the candidate will actively participate in hospital call and be responsible for inpatient rounds. Please send cv to sdonaruma@midjerseyortho.com

MOBILE PODIATRISTS NEEDED- LOS ANGELES, CA

Full Time Position available for podiatrists to visit home bound patients in the LA area and surrounding areas. Excellent compensation, flexible schedule, dedicated office support staff, cloud based EHR system. Email CV to: homefootcare@hotmail.com

Country Foot Care, a Long Island based, well-rounded multiple office group practice seeks 2018 third and fourth year graduating residents or fellows to join our state-of-the-art practices in July. Our practices are affiliated with multiple hospital systems, surgical and wound care centers and a residency program. Requirements: Caring, ethical, board qualified/certified candidates with surgical training and leadership qualities who are willing to live/relocate to the Long Island, NY metro area. Compensation includes biweekly salary, a generous bonus schedule, malpractice and health insurance, paid holidays and PTO. We invite all interested doctors to email their CV to DrLeeb@countryfootcare.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Riverside County. Full time, motivated, outgoing associate wanted for immediate opening. Multi-office, multi-doctor practice is looking for hard-working individual to treat wide range of patients. All aspects of care including very busy office, surgery, senior retirement communities and managed care. Speaking Spanish is a definite plus. Hospital and surgical center privileges available. If you are willing to work and have good people skills, email your CV to ocpodiatryoffice@gmail.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION – TRACY/MANTECA, CA

Federally Qualified Health Center looking for a dedicated medical and surgical podiatrist to work with our team of Primary Care Physicians. Email CV to marivera@cmcenters.org

PODIATRIST FOR HOUSECALLS- NJ

Well established and fast growing Housecall podiatry practice (www.homefootcareservices.com ) is looking for part-time podiatrist (2 days a week) to do house-calls for homebound patients in Southern New Jersey. We are looking for hard-working, energetic and compassionate doctor. Position will grow into full -ime within 1 year. Please email resume to lana.raginsky@homefootcareservices.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - SOUTHERN MARYLAND

Established practice looking for a full-time podiatrist for our Waldorf, MD and Clinton, MD locations. Must live within 20 miles from the office. The ideal candidate will have strong clinical skills including ulcer care, diabetes, surgery and general footcare. Must have a strong office personality with the ability to maintain and attract patients. Must be willing to merge into an already established protocol based office. Please send CV to footdocs17@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE NEEDED – WARREN/YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO

Ankle & Foot Care Centers operates 20 locations in Northeast Ohio. We are looking to add a full-time podiatric physician to help cover expansion of our Outreach/Home Care Services. Tremendous growth opportunity for a hardworking individual with an interest in wound care, nursing home and house call patient care. To learn more about us, visit our website at www.ankleandfootcare.com Please email your letter of interest and CV to Michael Vallas, Practice Administrator at mike@ankleandfootcare.com.

ASSOCIATE POSITION - NORTHERN NJ

Established office w/ 5 DPMs. Large referral base from PCPs, vascular, peds and orthopedists. Well-rounded hospital/surgical center based practice. All aspects of foot and ankle care. Many new patients weekly, solid surgical schedule. Modern office w/ EMR. Involved with residency program. Must have strong ethics and highly motivated. Serious associates only leading to partnership. Must have PMSR/RRA or equivalent training. Competitive compensation package. Starting July 2018. Please email CV to Northnjpod1@gmail.com

Whether you have used equipment to sell or are offering an associate position, PM News classified ads are the fastest, most-effective way of reaching over 18,500 subscribers. For details, click here or write to: bblock@prodigy.net or call (718) 897-9700 for details. For commercial or display ads contact David Kagan at davidekagan@gmail.com or call (215) 808-0770.

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